The number of technology start-ups based at Abu Dhabi Global Markets has grown by 80 per cent this year, the financial free zone's chairman Ahmed Al Sayegh told the FinTech Abu Dhabi event. Alamy
The number of technology start-ups based at Abu Dhabi Global Markets has grown by 80 per cent this year, the financial free zone's chairman Ahmed Al Sayegh told the FinTech Abu Dhabi event. Alamy
The number of technology start-ups based at Abu Dhabi Global Markets has grown by 80 per cent this year, the financial free zone's chairman Ahmed Al Sayegh told the FinTech Abu Dhabi event. Alamy
The number of technology start-ups based at Abu Dhabi Global Markets has grown by 80 per cent this year, the financial free zone's chairman Ahmed Al Sayegh told the FinTech Abu Dhabi event. Alamy

ADGM Academy, ADDA and ADSG partner to drive Abu Dhabi's digital transformation


Alkesh Sharma
  • English
  • Arabic

Abu Dhabi Global Market Academy, the education arm of the UAE capital's financial free zone, joined forces with the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (Adda) and Abu Dhabi School of Government (ADSG) to further develop the emirate’s digital capabilities through various initiatives.

The three government entities will “curate and execute a series of certified digital skills programmes”, in accordance with Abu Dhabi’s digital literacy strategy, they said in a statement on Sunday.

“Outcomes of this partnership will aid in shaping an increasingly digitally savvy and technologically privy generation of professionals … ultimately enabling Abu Dhabi to realise an agile and resilient digital future,” Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, ADGM’s chief operating officer and managing director of the academy, said.

The new agreement will see the authorities define skill set requirements as part of Abu Dhabi’s digital literacy strategy. They will also do a skill gap analysis to construct individual development plans and digital skills training programmes for UAE nationals.

"We are pleased to be part of this agreement that aims to empower Abu Dhabi government entities’ employees and develop their digital skill sets,” Mohamed Abdel Hameed Al-Askar, director general of the Adda, said.

“Our participation in this initiative was motivated not only because of its direct benefits for the government entities’ employees, but also due to its positive implications that foster a vibrant digital society in Abu Dhabi,” he added.

In June, Adda signed an agreement with America's biggest chip maker, Intel, to speed up digital transformation in the emirate.

In October last year, it also signed an agreement with US company Hewlett Packard Enterprise to accelerate the execution of data management programmes. It later unveiled a new data management programme, which falls within an open data initiative launched under Ghadan 21.

“This partnership is a path to achieving the vision of our wise leadership,” Nama Salmeen Alameri, dean of ADSG, said.

“Ensuring that all public sector employees are equipped with the necessary knowledge of the latest digital concepts is essential to realising our vision, as well as supporting Abu Dhabi’s transition to knowledge-based economy and society,” she added.

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
War and the virus
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Quick facts on cancer
  • Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases 
  •  About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime 
  • By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million 
  • 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries 
  • This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030 
  • At least one third of common cancers are preventable 
  • Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers 
  • Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
    strategies 
  • The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion

   

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

While you're here
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro
Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books 

The biog

Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.

His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.

“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.

"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”

Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.

He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking. 

Day 1 results:

Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)

Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)

The five pillars of Islam
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
BORDERLANDS

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis

Director: Eli Roth

Rating: 0/5

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

Champions League Last 16

Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER) 

Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG) 

Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED) 

Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA) 

Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG) 

Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA) 

Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG) 

Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)